Expressing feelings, frustration, or dissatisfaction verbally is not possible for everyone, resulting in often harmful ways of expression. Self-harm is one of those harmful ways to deal with or let the pain out. Emotional pain gets replaced by physical pain on a level a person can handle. As self-harm brings a sense of relief, becoming addicted to self harm is a fairly frequent occurrence. Self harm addiction can be seen as a behavioral addiction, and a sign that it has developed is that harmful behavior becomes compulsive.
As with any other type of addiction, this behavior is not a healthy coping mechanism but rather something that creates additional problems. There is a way out, and with professional help, healthy coping mechanisms can be developed, self-haring behavior can stop, and you can regain control over your life.
We Level Up Washington can help you break the harmful cycle of self harm addiction, but let us first help you understand it and realize the consequences of it. We will leave you with some actionable steps you can take to start working towards a life without self-inflicting injuries. Finally, we will share with you some input on where you can seek help for yourself or a loved one who´s struggling with self harm as an addiction.
Understanding Self-Harm as an Addiction
Self-harm behavior is an unhealthy coping mechanism. A person deliberately hurts themselves as a way to release or numb overwhelming emotions and/or pain. There is no intention to hurt oneself deathly; it´s a non-suicidal injury inflicting, and its function is to feel better or, at least, to feel relief. A frequent way to self-hurt is self-cutting, but people can engage in other forms of self-mutilation.
Here are some signs you can pay attention to if doubting that someone struggles with self-harming:
- a high rate of accidental injuries
- unexplained marks and scars
- excessive use of first-aid materials
- a habit of wearing high-coverage clothing even in hot temperatures
- the presence of a supply of sharp items
- emotional instability
- negative self-talk
If you found yourself in the situation of reliving emotional pain by harming yourself physically, and this happened more than once, you might have started to ask yourself: is self harm an addiction? The short answer would be yes, as non-suicidal self-injury disorder has been included in the DSM-V.
The idea behind addicted to Self Harm is often that emotional pain can be replaced by physical pain that, unlike emotional pain, can be controlled. By deciding how severely you injure yourself, you get not only a sense of relief but also a sense of control, and these components are what make self-hurting addictive, which is why we can speak of this self-hurt as a self mutilation addiction.
A qualitative study of online postings about self-harm revealed the same themes that are present in other forms of addiction, such as cravings (to engage in self-harm behavior), not wanting or being able to stop, returning to the behavior, self-harm being a coping mechanism, shame, and the self-harming behavior becoming worse. Another study found cravings and escalation of self-harm as occurrences in self harm as an addiction, further confirming the addictive nature of self-harm.
Once self-harm becomes an addiction, it´s nearly impossible to get rid of it on your own. Seeking professional help is then crucial. We Level Up mental health services Spokane WA, are designed to help those struggling with mental health issues. We can understand the complex nature of self-injury and can help you find the inner strength to overcome this addiction problem.
The Consequences of Self Harm Addiction
And while self harm addiction has its function (pain relief), it is an unhealthy mechanism with many negative consequences. Your physical, mental, and emotional health can deteriorate. There are both short- and long-term effects.
- Physical health. This might be the most obvious consequence of self mutilation addiction, as it leaves visible scars and potentially lifelong injuries. Pain and sensitivity of the skin or the body can also be long-lasting.
- Mental health. Self-harm does not involve suicidal ideations, but the correlation between these two is not unusual. Suicidal thoughts, as well as depression and anxiety, can develop if the reasons behind someone being addicted to self mutilation are not timely identified and addressed.
- Emotional health. Although self-injuring is an unhealthy coping mechanism, as long as a person is not aware of it or trying to address it, it´s unlikely that healthy coping mechanisms will develop. This way, the person stays stuck and unable to experience their emotions or address the pain in a healthy and functional way, creating a vicious circle.
One´s self mutilation addiction affects other people as well. Parents who discover their child was self-inflicting injuries may develop high levels of stress and anxiety. Siblings may display a range of emotions, from worry to a sense of responsibility. This is why families are often involved in the treatment of this condition. By offering family support, We Level Up inpatient mental health facilities in Washington State ensure every family member feels empowered and ready to support one another.
Breaking the Cycle: Steps Toward Recovery
Self harm as an addiction develops through repeated actions of self-injury. It is never a spontaneous behavior but rather triggered by some events or feelings. As a way to cope with overwhelming pain and emotions, you may turn to self-hurt. Once you become aware of this dysfunctional pattern, you may take some steps to eliminate this type of behavior. Here are a few practical things you can do:
- Become aware of your triggers. Next time you feel the urge to self-mutulate, think of what makes you want to do that, what happened, or what you felt that makes you want to compensate for it by injuring yourself. When you know your triggers, you know what to work around or address.
- Practice relaxation techniques. Once you learn to recognize your triggers, a good way to address them might be to allow emotions to pass through you, be nonjudgmental, and practice feeling connected with your environment. Mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and other holistic methods are useful tools for this.
- Look for support. In any type of recovery, not feeling alone is crucial. Support from your friends, family, or community can empower you to fight the urges to self-harm or seek help elsewhere if you are not able to fight on your own.
- Seek professional help. Finally, as it is very hard to address self harm as an addiction on your own, turning to professionals might be the best solution. Residential mental health facilities Washington Washington State, for instance, can provide you with a variety of treatments within a structured environment that invites focus on recovery.
The Role of Mental Health Facilities
Mental health facilities can support one´s recovery in many ways. Among the other functions, their task is to educate the public and help you get proper information for making an educated decision about your health. They can answer questions like is self harm an addiction and how to get rid of intrusive thoughts. More than anything, once you decide to say no to self-injury, they can support your rehab.
Mental health facilities can offer various methods of work and levels of care. Inpatient and residential treatments are often the best option as they are intense, participatory, and efficient. Some facilities, like We Level Up WA, have an individualized approach to treating mental health conditions. This means we tailor our treatment to each client, crafting it to respond to your needs, preferences, and circumstances. We may suggest various evidence-based psychotherapies, support groups, or holistic treatments, all to develop healthy coping mechanisms and skills that will keep you away from self-harm.
When looking for mental health hospitals near me, be sure to seek help from one that is aligned with your values and can respond to your needs, as this ensures successful recovery.
Seeking Help When Addicted to Self Harm
If you are addicted to self harm, you are not alone in this. Many struggled with overcoming this dysfunctional coping mechanism but managed to do it successfully. Admitting you have a problem and learning how to admit yourself to a mental hospital are the most difficult steps to take, but they are essential and will surely take you closer to a better quality of life.
Seek professional help, start working on understanding better your emotions and needs, and develop skills and healthy coping mechanisms that will serve you for life. Call We Level Up Washington and start your customized recovery.
Sources:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11469-018-9975-8
https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2006/11/1/article-p128.xml
Photos used:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-getting-his-hand-bandaged-5721555
https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-black-man-shaking-hands-with-unrecognizable-therapist-5699433